The Seventh annual Spring Spectacular Cutting held in
Claresholm, Alberta
sweltered with talent, excitement and prize money.
By Jenn Schneider MacRae Photos by Sharon Latimer (Pictured, Guy Heintz, aboard Open Derby Champion Northern Young Gun)
“The calibre of Canadian cutting (talent of both horses and riders) has really improved in the last three years. Canadians as a whole are becoming much more confident and competitive at an international level and it’s really starting to shine in the show ring,” said Connie Down-Cicoria, vice president of the Alberta Cutting Horse Association.
And shine they did. The 2000 Spring Cutting Spectacular held in Claresholm, Alberta on May 20-22 was a sizzling example of the quality horses and riders Canada has to offer. This competition is the only one in Canada featuring aged events for cutters during the spring. It is open to all Canadians and northwestern Americans. The show attracted crowds of spectators and the entire production was very smoothly woven together—thanks to organizers Moneca, Maria and Guy Heintz, of High River, Alberta.
Derby Dynamite
The highlights of the event were the Derbies, where riders contended for $15,000 in cash and prizes and specifically the Open Derby which hallmarked $10,000 of the money. Here, 19 pros and their spectacular horses marked intensely close scores to determine the winners. Guy Heintz, aboard Northern Young Gun (by Young Gun, out of Christmas O Lena) claimed the Open Derby Champion title with two consistent marks and an aggregate score of 146.5. “Gunner’s” owner’s, Dwayne Stady of Iron Bow Quarter Horses Ltd. in Calgary and Terry Norman of Strathmore, Alberta were pleased with the four-year-old stallion’s performance. Unfortunately, Norman could not attend the show as he was away in the Czech Republic explaining the game of cutting to new Western riders. He describes his horse as a good looking, competitive horse.
“He’s well muscled, and so attractive that when he gets down and hooked up head to head, he’s pretty shiny. Gunner’s getting stronger and doing better with every run, despite having been started late. He has yet to disappoint us and we plan on campaigning him pretty hard in the future.”
With all the responsibility and distraction of the show, Guy Heintz had little time to reflect upon his win.
“Of course I was happy with our run but I was in charge of so many things (like moving cattle from 5 a.m. until midnite) that I didn’t always have a lot of time to prepare. Gunner is so solid and stylish with lots of stop that because the cattle had so much move in them, it all made for a pretty good ride.”
The stallion is a half brother (same sire) to the mare, Young Guns Kitty, that Heintz won the Canadian Open Finals Championship with last year. Northern Young Gun will be offered to the public for breeding next year and his owners plan on bringing him to the upcoming Calgary Stampede cutting competition.
Ms Marc O Dude, owned by Tom and Linda Baxter (by Doc O Dude) must have done Scott Hanson proud with two solid fiery runs, an aggregate score of 144 and earnings of over $3,000. They ended up close at Heintz’s heels as Reserve Champions in the Open Derby. Tying for third place with scores of 143.5 were Larry Sands on Mays Playmate, and Cathy Anderson riding Sizzy O Lena (owned by Jim Butterfield).